DAY 01: PANGKALAN BUN AIRPORT – KUMAI – TANJUNG PUTING NATIONAL PARK
Upon arrival at Pangkalan Bun Airport you will be picked up by our local staff and take you to Kumai to board on the boat. The boat is a traditional Klotok wooden river boat about 8m by 2.5m with a roof which forms the upper deck where you can view the rain forest as it glides by. The guide’s team includes the boatman, a cook and expert guide. In the peaceful afternoon we will slowly explore the quite river by the klotok while observe the monkeys along the riverside. Dinner on the boat and overnight on the boat or lodge. While overnight on the boat we serve thin mattress, pillow, fine meals, bottled “mineral” water, mosquito net, kitchen, simple toilet available on boat besides the familiar – helpful guides and boatmen (D).

DAY 02: ORANGUTAN EXPLORATION
After breakfast board the klotok to travel up river for about 2 hours boating and then up a side creek to Camp Leakey where the older orangutans are reintroduced into the rain forest. En route stop at Pondok Tanguy, the rehabilitation center for the new ex-captive orangutans. At Camp Leakey you will have opportunity to trek into the rain forest with your expert guide and the forestry rangers to appreciate the flora as well as perhaps sighting wild orangutans, gibbons, macaques, and birds. Lunch provided on boat. Afternoon visit the feeding station to see rehabilitate orangutans are given additional foods. We can guarantee that the tropical rain forest of Borneo and its natural beauty will spoil and make your best of life time adventure experience. Meals and overnight served on the boat. (B, L, D)

DAY 03: TANJUNG PUTING NATIONAL PARK – PANGKALAN BUN AIRPORT
After breakfast boating down to Kumai before transfer by car to Pangkalan Bun airport for your next destination. (B)

Package Excluded :
Flight Tickets, Airport tax, Personal expenses, and all the things that we does not copy to this packages, Included Travel Insurance.Highly recommended to prepared your own Travel insurance.

DAY 01. PANGKALAN BUN – ORANGUTAN
Upon arrival at Pangkalan Bun Airport you will be picked up by our local staff and take you to Kumai to board on the boat. The boat is a traditional Klotok wooden river boat about 6m by 2m with a roof which forms the upper deck where you can view the rain forest as it glides by. The guide’s team includes the boatman, a cook and expert guide. In the peaceful afternoon we will slowly explore the quite river by the klotok while observe the monkeys along the riverside. Dinner on the boat and overnight on the boat or lodge. While overnight on the boat we serve thin mattress, pillow, fine meals, bottled “mineral” water, mosquito net, kitchen, simple toilet available on boat besides the familiar – helpful guides and boatmen (B,L,D).

DAY 02. ORANGUTAN EXPLORATION
After breakfast board the klotok to travel up river for about 2 hours boating and then up a side creek to Camp Leakey where the older orangutans are reintroduced into the rain forest. En route stop at Pondok Tanguy, the rehabilitation center for the new ex-captive orangutans. At Camp Leakey you will have opportunity to trek into the rain forest with your expert guide and the forestry rangers to appreciate the flora as well as perhaps sighting wild orangutans, gibbons, macaques, and birds. Lunch provided on boat. Afternoon visit the feeding station to see rehabilitate orangutans are given additional foods. We will then sail back down the river to overnight on the boat (B,L,D).

DAY 03 .EXTRA DAY AT THE PARK-WILDLIFE EXPLORATION
The EXTRA DAY at the park you will explore deeper in the jungle, trekking in the different trails, and you may encounter different orangutan both wild or ex-captive and other wildlife, tropical rain forest of Borneo, and different beauty of nature. We can guarantee that the tropical rain forest of Borneo and its natural beauty will spoil and make your best of life time adventure experience. Meals and overnight served on the boat. (B, L, D)

DAY 04 .ORANGUTAN EXPLORATION – NEXT DESTINATION
After breakfast boating down to Kumai before transfer by car to Pangkalan Bun airport for your next destination. In the appropriate time, transfer out to the airport for your next destination. (B)

Package Excluded :
Flight Tickets, Airport tax, Personal expenses, and all the things that we does not copy to this packages, Included Travel Insurance.Highly recommended to prepared your own Travel insurance.

DAY 01 . PANGKALAN BUN – ORANGUTAN
Upon arrival at Pangkalan Bun Airport meeting service and you will be board on the boat. In the peaceful afternoon we will slowly explore the quite river by the klotok while observe the monkeys along the riverside. Dinner and overnight on the boat. .(D)

DAY 02 . BOAT – PONDOK TANGGUI – CAMP LEAKEY
After breakfast board the klotok to travel up river for about 2 hours boating and then up a side creek to Camp Leakey where the older orangutans are reintroduced into the rain forest. En route stop at Pondok Tanguy, the rehabilitation center for the new ex-captive orangutans, see feeding time at 09.00am. Then proceed to Camp Leakey. After lunch on the boat you will have opportunity to take small trek before see feeding time at 14.00 pm for old rehabilitation orangutan given additional foods. Overnight on the boat or at Rimba Lodge. (B,L,D).

DAY 03 . PARK – KUMAI – PANGKALAN BUN – BAKONSU DAYAK VILLAGE
After very early breakfast, boating down to Kumai then transfer by car to drop your luggage at Hotel Pangkalan Bun for about 20 minutes before straight to the speed boat harbor about 5 – 10 minutes away. Please covered your valuable things with dry bags and put suntan lotion for sun protection. We recommend also bring soft ear plugs as the sounds of speed boat is so noisy. You will be boarding your speed boat on the Arut River before change to the Lamandau River . On the way you will pass some villages along the Lamandau River , logging company, and rapids. You will stop for lunch on the way. Upon arrival at Bakonsu Village after 5 – 6 hours drive, our guide will take you to the long house for your accommodation. Sightseeing around the villages and arrange the welcome dancing ceremony. After dinner they will ringing their gong or one of their music instrument to gathering together for this Horn Bill Dancing Party. Lots of people will join and you will be welcome like a King & Queen. Overnight at Long house. (B, L, D)

DAY 04 . BAKONSU DAYAK VILLAGE – PANGKALAN BUN
After breakfast, sightseeing around the village. If you are interested to collect some Dayak Artifacts such as the mask, mat, and carvings this is one of the place that available for this kind of stuffs. After packing your luggage, drive down back to Pangkalan Bun by speed boat. On the way stop at Kotawaringin Palace and sightseeing surrounding. Lunch on the way.Upon arrival at Pangkalan Bun, drive by car back to your hotel. Free program at your own leisure. Overnight at Hotel at Pangkalan Bun. (B, L, D).

Day 05 . PANKALAN BUN – TRANSFER OUT
Free morning program until time transfer to Kumai then to Pangkalan Bun airport for next destination.(B)

Package Excluded :
Flight Tickets, Airport tax, Personal expenses, and all the things that we does not copy to this packages, Included Travel Insurance.Highly recommended to prepared your own Travel insurance.

To reach Tanjung Puting National Park you will need to fly to the airport of
Pangkalan Bun, Kalimantan. Pangkalan Bun =PKB

The easiest option is to fly to Soekarno Hatta International Airport in Jakarta (Java). All
travel agents outside of Indonesia should be able to arrange this. On arrival at Jakarta
airport you have several options, depending on your time and budget.

1. Fly from Jakarta to Semarang And Pangkalan Bun
Journey time approx. 1 hr. One way cost approx. Rp.1.900,000 with Garuda or US$ 230

There are 12 flights daily between Jakarta and Semarang. The last flight departs at
6.00pm. You will probably have to stay overnight in Semarang and then catch a flight to
PKN the next day. There is one early morning flight from Jakarta that connects with the
plane to PKN, but this is risky because you might be delayed and miss the connection.
From Semarang you can take a flight to PKN with either INDONESIA AIR TRANSPORT or TRIGANA AIR next morning (one way cost approx. Rp. 955,000. Remember these flights have a 10 kg baggage limit. ORANGUTAN EXPLORE can arrange all your flight with 10 % charge from total flight rates.

2. Take a train from Jakarta Gambir railway station to Semarang
(Journey time approx. 5 ½ hrs – 9 hrs / cost Rp. 80,000 standard class to Rp.270,000 executive class. There are several trains daily).
First take the Damri (public) bus from the airport to Gambir station (Rp. 20,000). From there, take a bajaj (motorised rickshaw; Rp. 15,000) to Stasiun Senen and book your train
ticket. You will need to book your ticket at least 2 hrs in advance. You can either take a long, scenic route by day and arrive at Semarang in the evening and stay there, or take an overnight train from Jakarta to arrive in Semarang early the next morning. There may
be fast trains leaving late afternoon, whereby you could overnight in Semarang before catching a flight to PKN the next morning, but you will need to check this when you arrive in Jakarta.

3. Boat
It is possible to take a ferry from Semarang (Java) to the port of Kumai (on Borneo, a couple of kms from Pangkalan Bun). This is a cheap but very slow and less frequent option. The Pelni ferry is government run and popular with local people. Tickets can be bought at the local Pelni office in Semarang; avoid agencies with commission. Non-Pelni ferries are also recommended, as they are often cheaper, cleaner and faster. Generally,
the journey takes approximately 19 hours (cost approx. Rp 300,000). The boat schedule is available in Yogyakarta, Solo, Semarang and Jakarta about 2 weeks in advance so you will have to find out the boat times and book the tickets yourself on arrival. As a rule, boats tend to depart every 2/3 days. On arrival in Kumai, you can then arrange to take a local minibus (Rp 15,000) or private taxi (Rp. 90,000) to PKB. (½ hr). You will be able to find more information on www.pelni.com .

4. Fly from Jakarta to Pontianak (West Kalimantan) and then on to PKN.
(cost Rp 1.496,000 on Kalstar (Mon-Sat) These flights are cheaper but you will have to stay overnight in Pontianak before flying south to Pangkalan Bun, since the small plane to PKB leaves very early in the morning.

Fly from Jakarta to PKN via Palangkaraya (Rp.990,000 on Sriwijaya Air (Mon-Sat, before 1pm)) or via Banjarmasin. You will have to spend a night there before flying into Pangkalan Bun. Flights out of Pangkalan Bun do connect with onward flights to Jakarta. There is also a bus service between Banjarmasin. Please contact an Indonesian travel agent if you are considering this route.

6. Fly from Jakarta to Pontianak (West Kalimantan) and then on to PKB.
(cost Rp 990,000 on Kalstar (Mon-Sat) or Rp 789.000 on INDONESIA AIR TRANSPORT ( Everyday ).

Other Options
Travel to PKN via Kuching (Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo) and Pontianak. Having flown to Kuching, it is possible to catch a bus from Kuching to Pontianak. The journey takes approximately 9 hours if you catch the PB Bus (air-conditioned, Super Executive Class) which leaves around 10am. There are several other bus companies operating on the route. Overnight in Pontianak and take a morning flight to PKN via Ketapang. Kalstar fly daily at 8.50am (Rp 765,000). Flights from Pontianak to PKN cannot be booked from the Overseas so you will need to book them on arrival. Allow extra time for this. You will need your Indonesian visa before arriving in Kuching. Fly from Denpasar (Bali) to Semarang (via Surabaya, Java)
Served by Merpati (Rp 800.000) Garuda, Silk Air and Wings Air

It is very easy to book advance flights to Denpasar International Airport (Bali) and then to book your flights to Semarang and PKN on arrival. Additionally you can fly from Denpasar to Surabaya and then from Surabaya to PKN (Rp 969,425 on Kalstar). The travel agents in Bali may not have heard of PKN before, but they certainly can book all the tickets.
Make sure you tell them that Pangkalan Bun is in Central Kalimantan, Borneo. The linkhttp://www.lombokmarine.com should show you all available flights. Be aware that flights are more likely to be delayed than on time! Flights do get fully booked especially during religious holidays

Flight Information

TRIGANA TRANS NUSA AIR

Pangkalan Bun to Semarang
( direct )

11.45

12.10

Everyday

Direct

Semarang to Pangkalan Bun

13.10

14.05

same above

Air tickets fare:Semarang-Pangkalan Bun with Trigana Air : Rp. 955.000/person/one way

Welcome to the green heart of the rain forest: Ecolodge Bukit Lawang. Designed to serve as a model for sustainable livelihoods, running the Ecolodge Bukit Lawang is just one of the activities of PPLH Bohorok (The Bohorok Environmental Education Centre) run by Yayasan Ekosistem Lestari or YEL; the Foundation for a Sustainable Ecosystem. As a non-profit organisation all revenues realised by our Ecolodge are put straight back into community development, social programmes and nature conservation.

Ecotourism plays a critical role in protecting and enhancing the environment, both for the guests and for the local communities. We warmly invite you to learn more about us, our acivities, and our green heartbeat.

Located 80 kilometres from Medan, our Ecolodge is nestled in the rain forest bordering the Gunung Leuser National Park, on the banks of the Bohorok river.

We provide you a unique opportunity to enjoy the tropical rain forest, its orang-utans and over 700 other animal species, an enormous wealth of different plant species, jungle treks, including to the bat caves, rafting, our traditional medicine garden, our organic food or just the natural peace and tranquillity of relaxing at the Ecolodge itself.

Bukit Lawang is a small village in North Sumatra and is famous for the largest animal sanctuary of Sumatra Orang-Utan (around 5,000 Orang-Utans occupy the area), and also the main access point to the Gunung Leuser National Park.

Bukit Lawang rehabilitation center for Orang-Utans was founded in 1973. The purpose of the centre is to preserve the decreasing number of Orang-Utan population by rehabilitating Orang-Utans from captivity.

Bukit Lawang Eco-Lodge, located on the bank of the Bohorok river, with peaceful and eco-friendly lodging, right next to the Gunung Leuser National Park. At the entrance to Bukit Lawang turn left and walk downstream of the river and then cross the suspension bridge across to Eco-Lodge.

They grew their own organic vegetables which are served within the restaurant which has a view over the river.

Thomas Leaf Monkey room have recently been built at Eco-lodge so brand new rooms. Price is 850,000Rp per night.

* Include breakfast, tax and service.
* Safe deposit boxes are available at the front office.
* There is no extra charge for children under 10 years.
* Check-out time: 12:00 pm

Orangutan: has an open aired shower.
Siamang: facing the river, located near organic garden.
Thomas Leaf Monkey: has an open aired bathroom, latest room decoration, bright colored walls.
Hornbill: next to organic garden, usually for group.
Butterfly: facing the river, small shower.

The Eco Lodge:
A new venture for The Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF) is the construction of our Samboja Lodge facility. Here, for the first time, visitors and volunteers will be able to work closely with us in the many projects currently active in Samboja Lestari in aid of saving our rainforests and the orangutan.

The Lodge’s unique design is based upon local architecture. All interior and exterior walls are made of recycled materials. The cosmetic touches are all traditional Kalimantan handicrafts and are produced by both local and Dayak communities around the Island. You can even purchase these items if you decide you like them!

The Lodge is surrounded by lush vegetation and each room has its own patio or balcony in which to enjoy the greenery. The glass doors can fold open allowing you to choose between having a barrier to nature, or being completely open to it!

The area around the Lodge has been planted with many indigenous tree species, flowers and fruiting trees. There is also a salt lake, which attracts many animals right beside the Lodge. The Lodge rooms also overlook the Orangutan Islands. At night, the evening sky is full of stars and the Southern Cross is easily visible.

It is our hope that your stay with us will encourage you to continue your support for the preservation of our natural spaces. Through our planned visitors activities, you will be able to become a part of our daily work team. In this way, you will gain first hand knowledge on what is required to rebuild a forest and protect its wildlife. So come on, get your hands dirty, work and eat with us, and plant your own special tree as a lasting memory of your visit! You will even be able to track your tree’s progress on the Internet.

Accommodation:
Our rooms
Staying at Samboja Lodge you are in the center of a 2000 hectare reserve of unique, regenerating rainforest. Exotic birds will come to your balcony and tree frogs will “sing” to you in the evening. Samboja lodge offers modern fascilities with an open restaurant serving traditional Indonesian meals. You will have a unique and adventurous learning experience, whilst staying in comfort.

The Lodge consists of two long levels and a center tower.
The ground level contains 12 rooms (6 on either side of the center tower), each with its own patio, private bathroom and twin beds for double occupancy. Normally we use the lower level to accommodate volunteers. The center tower houses a laundry, kitchen facilites, offices and storages and the area where you can play pool and watch DVD’s on our television.

The upper level has 10 rooms with balcony, private bathroom and twin beds for double occupancy as well. But the upper level also has two VIP guests rooms with Queen size beds, air conditioning and hot water. In the same level you get access to the reception, communal area for dining with a fantastic view of some forest animals and a bar. Here you also can find a computer with Internet connection.
The upper level of the tower accommodates two master VIP suites complete with king size beds, jacuzzi and large picture windows overlooking the Samboja Lestari area.
There is also a large viewing platform which is open to all guests.

Local Weather :
High = 30 C
Low = 27 C

Please email us at info@orangutanexplore.com for up to date room rates.

Here are so many words that can describe Borneo, including verdant, vast, and vibrant. It is the world’s third largest island with an extremely diverse flora and fauna that include more than 380 species of birds, 222 species of mammals, more than 2,000 species of orchids, and more than 3,000 species of trees. Borneo is one of 17,000 islands that comprise the country of Indonesia, and it’s one of two places on the planet where orangutans live.

Endangered and protected species of animal inhabiting the Park include the orangutan (Pongo satyrus), proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus), maroon leaf monkey (Presbytis rubicunda rubida), sun bear (Helarctos malayanus euryspilus), lesser Malay mouse deer (Tragulus javanicus klossii), clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), and leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis borneoensis).
Tanjung Puting is the largest and most diverse protected example of extensive coastal tropical heath and peat swamp forest which used to cover much of southern Borneo . The area was originally declared as a game reserve in 1935 and a National Park in 1982. While the Park has checkered history of weak protection, nonetheless, it remains substantially wild and natural.

Tanjung Puting is covered by a complex mosaic of diverse lowland habitats. It contains 3,040 sq km2 of low lying swampy terrain punctuated by blackwater rivers which flow into the Java Sea . At the mouth of these rivers and along the sea coast are found Nipa/mangrove swamps. Mangroves teem with animal life. Tanjung Puting also includes tall dry ground tropical rain forest, primarily tropical heath forest, with a canopy of 40 meters (120 feet) with “emergents” exceeding 50
meters (150 ft) in height, seasonally inundated peat swamp forest with peat in layers two meters deep, open depression lakes formed by fire, and open areas of abandoned dry rice fields now covered with elephant grass and ferns. The tropical heath forest which is called “kerangas” in parts of Borneo , is only found on very poor, typically white-sandy soils and is characterized by medium-sized trees.

The best known animals in Tanjung Puting are the orangutans, made famous through the efforts of Orangutan Research and Conservation Program, which is based at the landmark Camp Leakey research station. Tanjung Puting also boasts the bizarre looking proboscis monkey with its “Jimmy Durante” nose as well as seven other primate species. Clouded leopards, civets, and Malaysian sun bears cavort in the park as do mouse deer, barking deer, sambar deer, and the wild cattle known as banteng.

Tanjung Puting hosts over 220 species of birds, including hornbills, deep forest birds and many wetland species. Tanjung Puting is well known for its “bird lakes, ” seasonal rookeries for a half a dozen species of endangered waterbirds, including the only known Bornean nesting grounds for white egrets. Tanjung Puting also has two species of crocodiles, dozens of snakes and frogs, numerous threatened species, including the fortune-bringing and highly endangered “dragon” fish also known as the Arwana (bony-tongue). Among the most flamboyant of these animals are the many species of colorful birds,butterflies, and moths found in the Park.

Tanjung Puting sits on a peninsula that juts out into the Java Sea . The peninsula is low lying and swampy with a spine of dry ground which rises a few feet above the omnipresent swamp. Towards the north of Tanjung Puting is characterized by gentle hills and gold- bearing alluvial plains. Maps of the region commonly portray a ridge of mountains coming down into Tanjung Puting. This ridge does not exist, in fact, nowhere does the altitude rise above 100 feet in Tanjung Puting.

Tanjung Puting is a veritable hothouse of ecodiversity. The diverse habitat zones shelter slightly different fauna and flora providing a great variety of microhabitats for plants and animals and thus, the opportunity for many species to be present in close proximity. In a Bornean context, tropical heath forest by itself is not representative of the largest trees, the tallest canopy, or the most diverse ecosystem.Tropical swamp ecosystems are little represented in protected areas throughout Southeast Asia but are omnipresent in Tanjung Puting. In the peat swamp forest, many trees have stilt roots or aerial roots as adaptations to frequent flooding.

Aside from its remarkable biological attributes, Tanjung Puting is highly important for the well-being of the surrounding local human population. The wetlands provide vital ecological services such as flood control, stream control regulation, erosion control, natural biological filtration system, and seasonal nurseries for fish which are the major source of local animal protein. Many of these services have an impact well beyond the local area.

For the above reasons and many other reasons not noted, Tanjung Puting is recognized as one of the most important and outstanding provincial treasures in Kalimantan Tengah. The national government has also made a strong commitment to protect the forest, its wildlife and to manage the park wisely. Tanjung Puting has increasingly gained international prestige and recognition. As a result, more and more visitors from throughout the world are experiencing a fresh new outlook on nature and an appreciation of the tropical rain forest which was humankind’s original “Garden of Eden.”

This Park was the first place in Indonesia to become a rehabilitation centre for orangutans. There are now three orangutan rehabilitation locations, Tanjung Harapan, Pondok Tanggui, and Camp Leakey.
The orangutan of Kalimantan has dark reddish fur and no tail. As they get older, the adult males cheeks flesh out, resembling cushions. The older they get, the bigger these cheek flanges grow, giving them a fierce look.
UNESCO has declared Tanjung Puting National Park as a Biosphere Reserve, and it is also a Sister Park to Taman Negara Malaysia under a cooperation agreement between Indonesia and Malaysia.

Interesting locations/attractions:
Tanjung Harapan: this is the first station in the orangutan rehabilitation process. Situated in the midst of secondary forest and swamp forest, it has a guesthouse, an information centre, and trails.

Pondok Tanggui: orangutans that have passed the semi-wild phase are moved to Pondok Tanggui. There, they are closely monitored from a distance, and human contact is avoided.

Camp Leakey: founded in 1971 in the middle of primary forest, this is the location for semi-wild and wild orangutans, and for younger orangutans from birth until three years of age.

Natai Lengkuas: bekantan research station, and watching other animals along the river.

Buluh River and Danau Burung (Bird Lake): watching birds, in particular migrant species.
Among the cultural attractions outside the Park is a traditional rowing contest held in Pangkalan Bun in May.

Mount Leuser National Park is one of the largest national parks in the world, containing over 800,000 hectares of virgin rainforest. The park is home to orangutans, gibbons, monkeys, elephants, tigers, and among the last of the Sumatran rhinoceros. There are research facilities for the study of primates, birds and insects, the Orangutans rehabilitation center at Bukit Lawang being the most popular with tourists. It is possible to raft Alas River from Ketambe to the Indian Ocean on a 4 – 5 day expedition. The journey takes us through exciting white-water rapids to the calmer, crocodile-infested waters of the lowlands. Basic accommodation is available at Ketambe.

The Leuser National Park of Gunung Leuser is probably the wildest in Indonesia, located in Southeast Aceh, can be reached from either Kutacane, or Takengon. This magnificent national park has a wealth of flora and fauna. The Leuser Ecosystem is an outstanding wilderness in Aceh northern Sumatra. It is one of the richest expanses of tropical rain forest in Southeast Asia. More than 2.5 million hectares in size, it is the last place on earth where elephants, rhinos, tigers, clouded leopards, and orangutans are found within one area.

The park is named after one of its highest point, the 3,381m Mount Leuser (Gunung Leuser). The highest point in the park is “Puncak Tak Punya Nama” (“The peak with no name”).

The first official statement of intent to protect the Leuser Ecosystem was signed in 1934. The Leuser International Foundation (a non-profit non-government organization) was established in the late 1990’s when the ecosystem was seriously under threat from illegal logging and wildlife poaching.
Geographically, the Leuser Ecosystem lies between 3-4.5° North and 96.5-98° East. It covers approximately 2.6 million hectares of tropical rain forest, encompassing 890,000 hectares of designated national park, as well as extensive areas of protection and production forests. The ecosystem contains two major volcanoes, three lakes, and nine major river systems that flow to the east and west coasts of the island.

The Leuser Ecosystem has an enormous level of biodiversity. It contains at least 127 mammal species, including the Sumatran elephant, Sumatran tiger, Sumatran rhinoceros, and Sumatran orangutan. About 8,500 different plant species grow in the beach, swamp, lowland, mountain and alpine ecosystems of the Leuser Ecosystem. Of the 10,000 plant species recorded in the West Indo-Malayan Region, 45% are found in the Leuser Ecosystem. Spectacular plants such as Rafflesia (the largest flower in the world) and Amorphophallus (the tallest flower in the world) are among the plants protected there.

Mount Leuser National Park is one of the biggest national parks in Indonesia (950,000 hectare). Actually, it’s a collection of various nature reserves and forests: Nature Reserve Mount Leuser, Nature Reserve Kappi, Nature Reserve Kluet, Sikundur Langkat Wildlife Reserve, Ketambe Research Station, Singkil Barat and Dolok Sembilin. Most parts of the national park lie in the region Aceh Tenggara (SE Aceh). Other parts are situated in the region east Aceh, south Aceh, and Langkat.

Mount Leuser National Park comprises more than 100 kilometers of the Bukit Barisan Mountains. Because of that, the park consists of steep, almost inaccessible mountainous terrain. The altitude ranges from 0 meter, in Kluet (South Aceh), to 3,381 meter, on top of the mount Leuser (Southeast Aceh). The Alas River cuts the park into an eastern and western half. Apart from mountains we find several other ecosystems: beach forest, swamp areas, lowland rainforest, alpine and mountain forest. In Bukit Lawang is the Orang Utan Rehabilitation Station and in Ketambe stands the Ketambe research station.

Covering both resilient Nangroe Aceh Darussalam and antique North Sumatra Province, most parts of the national park rest in the lush South East Aceh region, blessed with tropical fruits like mango, rambutan, durian, avocado, orange, papaya, and guava. The other parts are situated in the east Aceh, south Aceh, and Langkat of North Sumatra, known to produce world-class coffee and tobacco. Most visitors normally start their adventures in the national park through Bukit Lawang, North Sumatra, where you can always find the gentle giants of the jungle, the orangutans. Discover the gentleness of these sociable primates as your discovery of Sumatra begins right here.

Mount Leuser National Park, named after its highest peak, Mount Leuser (3,381 m), is one of the largest and the most diverse national parks in Indonesia, covering an area of 7,927 square kilometer in the northern tip of Sumatera, Indonesia. Embracing various ecosystems, the national park is in fact a cluster of various nature reserves and forests: Gunung Leuser Nature Reserve, Kappi Nature Reserve, Kluet Nature Reserve, Sikundur-Langkat Wildlife Reserve, Ketambe Research Station, Singkil Barat, and Dolok Sembilin.

The park is so extensive, it covers mangroves, beach and swamp forest, lowland rainforest, moss forest, and up to subalpine forest. When traversing its extraordinary landscape, enthusiastic adventurer like you will not be disappointed.

The Mount Leuser National Park, which is Taman Nasional Gunung Leuser in Bahasa, encompasses more than 100 kilometers of the Bukit Barisan Mountains, known for its steep, almost inaccessible mountainous terrains. The altitude ranges from beach area in Kluet (South Aceh), to 3,381 meter on top of the Gunung Leuser (Southeast Aceh). The breathtaking Alas River cuts the park into an eastern and western half, where your tropical thirst for adrenaline will be captivatingly fulfilled.

Around 130 species are identified in this park only. The mysterious Sumatran tigers, elephants, rhinos, Siamang monkeys, macaques, clouded leopards, reptiles, fish, and around 325 species of birds are among the endemic wildlife known to inhibit the park. Surely the trek to the inner park is more than just a great adventure to the last zoo you visited. Come and take in the experience living in a small friendly village, Ketambe, where the locals are naturally knowledgeable and ecologically hospitable.

ORANGUTANS in the wild!
Rimba is reached only by boat from the port of Kumai. Arriving at the Lodge jetty in the middle of the forest is an unforgettable experience. The jetty connects to all rooms, the reception area, office and restaurant by a series of covered boardwalks.

The Lodge provides a base from which you can explore the surrounding rainforest and Tanjung Puting National Park. . Take a walk from your room along the bird walk, hear the plaintive cry of Gibbons, early birdsong and the resident Macaque monkey troop from your comfortable room, set right on the edge of the gently flowing Sekonyer river.

From the Lodge you travel by klotok (wooden boats) upstream, surrounded by rainforest, to a number of feeding stations in the Tanjung Puting National Park, the most famous of which is Camp Leakey, established in 1971 by Professor Birute Galdikas, a student of Professor Louis Leakey, together with Jane Goodall and Diane Fossey.

As you walk through the rainforest you often see orangutans and at Camp Leakey you sometimes see gibbons as well as many butterflies and birds. At the feeding stations you will get a wonderful opportunity to see these amazing primates up close. You might also take a night safari to see tarsiers, glowing mushrooms, fireflies and perhaps owls.

Rimba is reached only by boat from the port of Kumai. Arriving at the Lodge jetty in the middle of the forest is an unforgettable experience. The jetty connects to all rooms, the reception area, office and restaurant by a series of covered boardwalks. The Lodge provides a base from which you can explore the surrounding rainforest and Tanjung Puting National Park. . Take a walk from your room along the bird walk, hear the plaintive cry of Gibbons, early birdsong and the resident Macaque monkey troop from your comfortable room, set right on the edge of the gently flowing Sekonyer river.

From the Lodge you travel by klotok (wooden boats) upstream, surrounded by rainforest, to a number of feeding stations in the Tanjung Puting National Park, the most famous of which is Camp Leakey, established in 1971 by Professor Birute Galdikas, a student of Professor Louis Leakey, together with Jane Goodall and Diane Fossey. As you walk through the rainforest you often see orangutans and at Camp Leakey you sometimes see gibbons as well as many butterflies and birds. At the feeding stations you will get a wonderful opportunity to see these amazing primates up close.

You might also take a night safari to see tarsiers, glowing mushrooms, fireflies and perhaps owls.

Situated on the edge of ‘The Tanjung Puting National Park’, this forest lodge on the Sekonyer River provides a base for seeing nine primate species.This is one of the only places in the world where orangutans can be seen in the wild. Observe Orangutans, Proboscis Monkeys, Gibbons, Tarsiers and other primate species in their natural habitat. Enjoy the Klotok river boat experience and the forest.
Key Features at a Glance

* Forest and river lodge situated on the edge of ‘The Tanjung Puting National Park’.
* Base from which to explore the rainforest and see Orangutans, Proboscis Monkeys, Macaque Monkeys, Black-Handed Gibbons, Tarsiers and other primate species in their natural habitat.
* Klotok river boat experience offering a unique experience in itself and a chance to see wildlife along the forest edge and at dusk to be surrounded by fireflies among the lower river reeds.
* National Park entry and all tours organized to suit your interests by the Lodge staff

See as many as 9 primate species, crocodiles, butterflies and rare birds such as Storms stork. Many endangered species, even clouded leopards, are hidden in the jungle or “Rimba”, through which you chug in a ’kelotok’ boat.

You then land and walk 20 minutes into the forest to see the orangutans at the feeding stations upriver. You might also take a night safari to see tarsiers, glowing mushrooms fireflies and perhaps owls.

Hear the plaintive cry of Gibbons, early birdsong and the resident Macacque monkey troop from your comfortable room at the Lodge, set right on the edge of the gently flowing Sekonyer river in light forest.

RIMBA ORANGUTAN ECO LODGE HAS:
35 rooms – (15 Emerald, 6 Sapphire, 14 Ruby)
Mosquito drapes and repellent
Emerald rooms have AC and Hot water
Excellent meals in the restaurant
Drinks in the Lounge
All transport organized (extra cost)
Eco tour guide for bird watching etc
Management practices are eco
responsible in all the lodges
Double or twin beds
Western shower and toilets
Fans in all rooms
Packed picnic lunches
Friendly staff to serve you
A percentage of our profit goes
to environmental protection
You may also decide to make a donation
Easy email bookings
Internet access
To enter Tanjung Puting National Park you need a photocopy of the photo page and visa page of your passport, we do the rest. Don’t forget to bring binoculars, camera and film!

Accommodation and Rooms
Rimba Lodge is perched on the edge of the Sekonyer River and surrounded by forest. Access is only by boat from the Port of Kumai. The timber Lodge is built in a series of adjoining elevated pavilions.

Each pavilion contains 3 rooms and has its own covered verandah and boardwalk to the river’s edge. Amethyst, Sapphire and Ruby rooms are adjoining in one large pavilion. The walkways also join the restaurant, reception and lounge and office. The Lodge is just a few minutes by boat from the orangutan feeding station at Pondok Tangui and mid way upstream to Camp Leakey. A resident troop of macaques are often seen around the Lodge and Proboscis monkeys are also often visible across the river. This is a Lodge that feels truly remote.

Staff at the Lodge will be happy to organize daily tours for you, boxed lunches and even dinner if you wish to dine on the boat amongst the fireflies. The booking team at Udayana Eco Lodge are also available to organize all of your travel requirements in advance. (LINK to Booking team page)

CABIN RATES:Diamond CabinRp. 1.500.000/Night/Double or SingleEmerald CabinRp. 1.250.000/Night/Double or Single

Amethyst CabinRp. 1.100.000/Night/Double or Single

Sapphire CabinRp. 950.000/Night/Double or Single

Ruby Cabin Rp. 750.000/Night/Double or Single

Extra Bed : Rp. 500.000/bed

Above Room Rate included Breakfast but Excluded Taxes and Service ( 20% )

High and peak season apply from June 01-September 30 and December 01-January 15 with additional surcharge Rp. 250.000/night/room

Location
Borneo can still seem quite inaccessible to international travellers but trust us its not that hard. It’s certainly a little bit off the beaten track, but still very safe. Indonesian people are some of the friendliest in the world and we can organise expert guides and pickup along the way. Infact we can help you organise your whole trip. Visit our bookings page for more information.

RImba Eco Lodge is perched on the Sekonyer River upstream from the Port of Kumai which is on the Java Sea coast at the southern tip of Central Kalimantan (Borneo).
* We can organize all your travel by air from Jakarta via Semarang; from Bali, also via Semarang and also via Surabaya to Sampit followed by 4 hours by road.
* By air from Bali or Jakarta via Surabaya or Semarang to Pangkalam Bun via Sampit (approx: 3hrs).
* Then, by car (we meet you) – 20 minutes to Kumai Port.
* Then, by boat – a delightful river trip (approx: 2 hrs) to the RIMBA ORANGUTAN ECO LODGE.

HOW TO GET THERE!
* By air from Bali to Jogjakarta or Jakarta via Surabaya or Semarang or Sampit (approx: 3hrs). to Pangkalam Bun
* Then, by car (we meet you) – 30 minutes to Kumai Port.
* Then, by boat – a delightful river trip (approx: 2.5 hrs) to the RIMBA ORANGUTAN ECO LODGE.
* There is a speed boat option – more expensive.
* Yachts can tie-up at Harri’s Landing, Kumai

Please Note:
The Rimba Lodge can only be approached by boat. The following are standard charges for transport and national park fees:
* Airport pick-up and Lodge boat (2 persons) – Rp.1.500,000
* River boat (Klotok) for 2 – 4 persons – Rp. 2.000,000/ Transfer
* Lunch on boat Rp. 250,000/person
* Police, Park and Ranger fees per person – Rp. 600,000/person/day
* Special Guide fees – Rp. 850,000/day
* Special walking tours in the park now available. Jungle walk in Tanjung Puting National Park cost Rp. 500.000/Guide
.
Let us help you organize a never-to-be-forgotten holiday!
Adventure in Kalimantan and Sumatra, relaxation in Bali or both on Flores or other islands!
Special packages available tailored to your needs.

Bukit Lawang is a popular tourist destination for its laidback riverside lifestyle, jungle treks in the Gunung Leuser National Park, and its world-famous orangutan rehabilitation centre..

Bukit Lawang is a small tourist village at the bank of Bahorok River in North Sumatra province of Indonesia. Situated approximately 86 km north-west of Medan, Bukit Lawang is known for the largest animal sanctuary of Sumatran orangutan (around 5,000 orangutans occupy the area), and also the main access point to the Gunung Leuser National Park from the east side.

Bukit Lawang rehabilitation center for orangutans was founded in 1973. The main purpose is to preserve the decreasing number of orangutan population due to hunting, trading and deforestation.

A flash flood hit Bukit Lawang on 2 November 2003. The disaster, which was the result of illegal logging, destroyed the local tourist resorts and had a devastating impact to the local tourism industry in the area. Around 400 houses, 3 mosques, 8 bridges, 280 kiosks and food stalls, 35 inns and guest houses were destroyed by the flood, including 239 people (5 of them were tourists) were killed and around 1,400 locals lost their homes. Thanks to several international cooperation agencies, the site was rebuilt and re-opened again in July 2004

Bukit Lawang is one of the most accessible places to spot this reclusive primate, thanks to an orang-utan conservation programme that has been operating on the eastern edge of the Gunung Leuser National Park since the 1970s. The national park is one of the orang-utan’s last remaining strongholds, with more than 5000 animals thought to be living in the wild.

Since the village is only 96km northwest of Medan, Bukit Lawang is also one of the easiest places from which to make the leap into the jungle, a diverse and rugged forest crisscrossed by clear, fast-flowing rivers. Many tourists slip-slide through the mud and undergrowth on multi-day treks and hobble back to the village to recuperate.

Bukit Lawang was extensively damaged by a flash flood in November 2003, which killed 280 people and destroyed much of the riverfront development. The essentials of the town and tourist infrastructure have been rebuilt but the community is still grieving for lost relatives and livelihoods.

Location
Bukit Lawang is located 86km from Medan, the largest city in Indonesia’s Northern island of Sumatra, at the entrance to Gunung Leuser National Park, the last sanctuary of the Sumatran orangutan.

Getting there from Medan
In order to reach Bukit Lawang, tourists can either:

* take a taxi direct from Medan city centre or airport to Bukit Lawang (about $125)
* hail a becak (motorised rickshaw) or taxi (about $4), or a local yellow bus (about $5.20) to Pinang Baris station; from there large orange buses travel to Bukit Lawang for approx $25.50, or faster minibuses for $1. Buses run until roughly 5:30pm.
* take a bus or taxi to Binjai, about 15km from Medan on the road to Bukit Lawang, where minibuses continue until around 6:30pm

Flora and fauna
Seeing the orangutans is a magical experience. You can usually see them near the rehabilitation centre and at the feeding platform during the morning and afternoon feeding sessions. Still the best experience is an encounter in the jungle where there are many semi-wild and wild animals. The wild Orangutan can be difficult to spot unless you go deep into the jungle. There are also white and black gibbons that make an amazing noise calling out to each other, and Thomas Leaf monkeys. If you are lucky, you may be able to see toucans, moon snakes, monitor lizards. Since there are very few still alive, it is very improbable that either the Sumatran Tiger or the Sumatran Rhinoceros will be encountered, although footprints and droppings have been reported.

Climate
During the wet season, October to March, expect rain at least daily, towards the late afternoon and early evening. Intensity varies, but invariably the monsoonal rains always arrive. Climate is always very humid, so pack a lot of drinking water if you are trekking.

Fees/Permits
Access to the Gunung Leuser National Park is Rp. 200,000 per person – payable either in Bukit Lawang, or at the orangutan feeding ground. Permit should be included in all treks and jungle activities, but check with the guide to be sure.

What to see:
* Bukit Lawang. Bukit Lawang is most famous for the Orangutan rehabilitation centre. Feedings are daily at 8.00AM and 3.00PM. Attending the feeding costs 20.000Rp. The proceeds are used to keep the project running.

The rangers are highly qualified and can tell you a lot about orangutans and the project. Please always follow their instructions to guarantee your and the orangutans safety. The feedings are a great opportunity for amazing pictures as the oragnutans usually stick around a bit whilst munching on their bananas.

* Exciting News The new Governor of North Sumatra comes from Bukit Lawang and one of his promises was to fix the road from Medan to Bukit Lawang. Work has already commenced and compared to previous years the road has improved a lot and work is still ongoing. There are still some bumpy parts but in general big improvements are being made.

* Ketambe is a village on the west side of Gunung Leuser National Park. It is less visited than Bukit Lawang, but the area is amazing and the people are very friendly. To reach Ketambe from Medan, you have to go first to Kutacane (a 30 minutes flight or a 7 hours minibus ride). Note the flights fill very quickly so make sure you book as soon as arriving in Medan.

Note also that the airline flying is on a contract basis and from time to time when the contract finishes there are times when there are NO flights until a new contract is signed.

As of 14th May 2009 NBA Airlines signed a new contract to fly from Medan to Kutacane and from Kutacane to Banda Aceh on Wednesdays and Fridays of each week. Check the www.ketambe.com website for more details. From Kutacane take a mobil (local transport) and go 30 km to Ketambe. At least 6 guesthouses in Ketambe(Pak Mus Homestay, Sadar Wisata, Cinta Alam, Pondok Wisata, Gurah Bungalows and new one called Friendship Guesthouse) offer accommodation in wooden bungalows with bath from about Rp. 50.000. Indonesian and western style food is available. It is possible to organize trekking. You will see real wild living orangutans (not like in Bukit Lawang, were you can even feed them), monkeys and many kind of birds. On a 2 to 3 day trip you can go to a hot spring beside the Alas river and camp over there. There are a lot of opportunities to do a trekking tour; even a 14 days hike to the top of the Mount Leuser (3400 m). Every guesthouse can organize a rafting trip down the Alas river.